Upside-down gardening methods such as the Topsy Turvy planter inspired Tony Tangorra, 81, and his neighbor and partner Fred Anderson to invent what they call Fence Top Gardening.

Their product is a heavy-duty plastic bracket that attaches to the top of a fence and securely holds a pot. Tangorra, who lives in rural East County near Santee, believes that Fence Top Gardening, which is in the process of being patented, puts the popular Topsy Turvy to shame.

“I can grow from the bottom, side and top,” Tangorra says.

And he does. In one of his pots there is cilantro growing from the top and tomato vines shooting out from the bottom and sides. Another pot grows basil and bell peppers.

The bracket, holding a Bloom Master basket, can be purchased at nurseries listed on the website fencetopgardening.com.

“It’s great for people with no yard,” Tangorra said. “There’s no weeding and it’s easy to fertilize.”

Tangorra conserves water by putting a bucket underneath the plant during watering. Leftover water and the plant nutrients end up in the bucket, and he simply pours it back on top of the plant.

Tangorra says his gardening product is unique, “I’m the only one doing it,” he says.

The Midwestern native takes advantage of the California climate and grows throughout the winter, allowing for year-round tomatoes.